Context
Somewhere along the gradual bulge of bald mountains that run from the Loess Plateau to the Tibet Plateau, a mysterious and intriguing land is concealed. Though not well known to the outside world, it is highly revered by Tibetans.

Regong is a sacred place in Tibetan Buddhism. Back in the 12th century, when Buddhism was under threat, it was this region that kept scripts of Buddhism tradition. After the coast was clear, it was the centre of the second renaissance of Tibetan Buddhist. This same place has also nurtured a disproportionate number of high lamas and living Buddhas. Though not considered Tibet proper, the current Dalai Lama and the late 14th Panchen Lama, the 2 most holy people in the Tibetan hierchary, both hail from this region. The culture and natural scenery here has also led to excellence in art. Regong art is best known for its refined craftsmanship and fancy colors. Regong tangkas, sculptures and barbola can be found in monasteries across Tibet, including the Jokang Temple and the Potala Palace.

In this journey, we join pilgrims on their pilgrimage trail around the Taer and Longwu monastery, two very well-respected monasteries in Tibet. We admire some of Tibet’s most respected art-work at the Wutun and Nanliandu monastery, spending time with master painters and lamas as we understand the process in drawing such beauties. We drive and hike through Tibetan villages and unusual danxia terrain, to reach Nanzhong nunnery, a spiritual retreat far removed from the materialistic and daily chores of today’s world. In the midst of nuns and monks, we understand how Tibetan Buddhism was maintained here in the face of hostility, and through our discussions understand the meaning of Buddhism and peace.

Trip Highlights
• Deep exploring Buddhism culture
• Deep exploring local Tibetan‘s life
• Various and splendid landscape
• Walking tour
• Tibetan art
• Home stay at local Tibetan family

Best Suitable For
The trip is most suitable for:
• Clients who would like to visit Tibet but are nervous about the altitude in Tibet. We do not spend any nights over the altitude of 2,800m on this journey.
• First time clients who are interested in Tibetan art. This area allows us to experience Tibetan art at its finest, with visits to monasteries famous for embroidery, Tangka, mandalas and wood carvings.
• Second time Tibet clients who would like to visit another part of Tibet apart from Lhasa.

Comfort Level
• Trip ranked as intense touring. Days would consist of intense touring. Longest drives per day would be around 4.5 hours in a day across paved roads.
• Some hiking. Guests would walk for around 8km (2 hours) along paved trails on day 5 with limited gradient change.
• Tongren: Basic accommodation in Regong. Beds would be clean but basic and would be hard (not soft). Western toilets and showers. Hot water available in hotels. Service mediocre.
• Nanzhong nunnery: Homestay. Very rustic. We will provide clean bedsheets and would clean the place before hand. No toilets or showers

Concise Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival Xining (Qinhai Province)
Day 2-4: Tongren area
Day 5-6: Driving from Tongren to Xining
Day 7: Xining
Day 8: Flying home or joining extension tour